In a tragic incident in Florida, two teenage boys stand accused of the brutal murder of a 14-year-old girl, whose body was found ablaze along a wooded trail last week. Authorities have described the crime as “horrific.”
Sheriff Bob Johnson of Santa Rosa County revealed to reporters on Thursday that the victim was identified as Danika Troy. According to him, Danika’s mother had filed a missing person report, believing her daughter had run away on Monday.
“Unbeknownst to the mother, Danika was murdered the previous night,” Johnson stated.
A passerby made the grim discovery of Danika’s remains in a wooded area near Kimberly Road in Pace, located roughly 16 miles from Pensacola, prompting a call to 911, Johnson explained.
According to Sheriff Johnson, the suspects were reportedly known to the victim as school friends. However, investigators are still piecing together the motive behind this heinous act. (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities swiftly identified and apprehended the suspects, 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins and 16-year-old Gabriel Williams.
“This is where it gets really horrific,” Johnson said.
Kimahri Blevins, 14, is facing premeditated first-degree murder charges. Authorities are seeking to charge him as an adult. (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office)
Williams allegedly stole his mother’s handgun and shot Danika.
“It’s bad enough you kill a 14-year-old. You’re 14. You’re 16,” Johnson said. “Shoot her multiple times, and then they set her on fire.”
Gabriel Williams, 16, is facing premeditated first-degree murder charges. Authorities are seeking to charge him as an adult. (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office)
Johnson said investigators are still working to determine a motive.
“They have been interviewed, but the motive that they’re giving doesn’t fit the forensics or any facts of the case, so we don’t have a legit motive,” he told reporters.
Blevins and Williams supposedly knew the victim from school, according to Johnson. He believed the two teens have had previous “run-ins” with law enforcement, though he could not immediately say if they had earlier arrests.
Blevins and Williams are being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice on premeditated first-degree murder charges.
“You don’t want to go out and see a burnt child with bullet holes,” Johnson said. “That’s not something you sign up for.”
Johnson said no parents have been charged at this time, though investigators are “looking into it.”
The sheriff’s office is working with the State Attorney to charge both teens as adults.
“If you do an adult crime, you gotta do adult time,” Johnson said.
